The difference between home and business security

A security system needs to suit the place it’s designed for. Take a look at the different needs for security in your home vs your business.

• Risk for family homes is pretty simple but businesses are far more complex.
• Commercial properties are subject to regulations and regular inspections.
• Cost will likely be substantially more in a business vs a home.

A security system is designed to protect the property, and the people and valuables inside it. That goes for home and the workplace.

But that’s pretty much where the similarities end.

Risk

Risk assessment for a house is relatively simple. The family probably has a routine, and the areas to target are easy to identify (think doors and windows).

At a commercial property, things are more complicated. There will be lots of different people coming and going at various times of the day. There may be valuable stuff sitting around that is easy to see or find out about.

If it’s an industrial facility, there can also be safety issues. Areas to target may include storerooms, kitchen facilities, lifts, stairwells and parking.

A commercial security system needs to do more than protect the perimeter — it is likely to be multi-layered, and part of a holistic security strategy.

Regulation

Residential properties are generally not subject to certification and/or regular inspections of security equipment.

Commercial properties, however, are required to undergo regular inspections based on building codes and any local or state regulations. Also, while some councils require planning permission for security cameras, individuals can’t contravene the Privacy Act. An organisation that uses surveillance devices, however — such as security cameras or CCTV— is beholden to multiple regulations.

Cost

Residential security systems and lighting generally have a much lower cost than a commercial system, where the initial outlay is higher.

Energy saving is a big consideration in a commercial application as it will be a factor in the business profitability, and building a highly energy-efficient system can be very expensive initially.